​The Government has received complaints from members of the public that a large number of street performers who are equipped with amplifiers sing loudly in the vicinity of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel at the Central Piers, causing serious nuisance to passers-by. Also, their performance equipment occupies public spaces and obstructs passageways. In addition, during the outbreak of COVID-19, the gathering of audiences to watch the performances increases the risk of transmission of the virus in the community.
      
     In view of this, the Central and Western District Management Committee (C&WDMC) put up notices and banners in the vicinity of the Central Piers last month to require street performers to refrain from using sound amplifying devices to avoid causing nuisance to the public. The C&WDMC also continues to deploy staff to conduct site inspections and issue warning letters to non-compliant performers. Security guards have been employed to patrol in the area around the Central Piers starting this month to require non-compliant performers to stop causing nuisance. In addition, the Police have also stepped up routine patrols and will take enforcement action in case of irregularities.
      
     Representatives of the Central and Western District Fight Crime Committee and the Chung Wan and Mid-Levels Area Committee conducted an inspection around the Central Piers in the evening today (October 5). They found that the series of combating measures adopted by the Government had alleviated the nuisance caused by street performances to passers-by.
      
     The Government again appeals to street performers not to use any sound amplifying devices to perform in public places unless otherwise permitted to avoid causing nuisance to passers-by and obstruction to passageways. In case of non-compliance, the Government will issue advice or verbal warnings to those concerned, require them to end their performances and take appropriate legal action.

Ends/Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:30

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